A determinedly eccentric old guy's journey while living a bicycle lifestyle.

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

Đại úy Chuck and the NCOIC, Part 3

June 5, 2015 - Day 1

After driving to Pittsburgh International Airport the ride began . . .
slowly as loading gear on the Co-Motion was burdened by working in the
“black hole” rental vehicle return area. No one was certain of how to
reach the beginning of the Montour Trail, a trail permitting bicycle
access to the airport. Joanne, a helpful Avis employee working in the
black hole, tracked down Officer Tony of the Allegheny County Police
Department and the burly Marine (there are no former marines) arranged
for Officer Cervone (former Army) to lead us to the beginning of the
Trail. As difficult as getting ready was, the courtesy of these people
made the start more pleasant.

Actual departure was delayed when the NCOIC (that’s me) could not find
his knee brace, so let’s make this more personal. I had strapped my
recently acquired replacement ACL brace to one of the front panniers
and as we were about to follow Officer Cervone I noticed it was not
there. Cursing my stupidity I limped back to the Avis black hole. The
Dodge Grand Caravan had already been taken away to be prepared for
another renter, but after a couple of radio massages was returned;
unfortunately, no brace. As I returned to Đại úy Chuck I
realized I was wearing the damn thing! The Đại úy agreed to
not mention my faux pas.

Tunneling
the Montour Trail

Nearing
the end of Montour Trail

Montour
Trail was a pleasant surprise with its varied terrain, fragrant flowers
and friendly riders and pedestrians. Unfortunately, the Trail got us
only as far as Coraopolis where we could find no one able to direct us
to a trail that would avoid very urban, very hectic Pittsburgh. We
asked for help from the guys at PAVE-RITE, but their knowledge of
bike trails was lacking. They did know the terrain of the area and
recommended a route that was not overly physically demanding. They also
shared their Pittsburgh humor and Gatorade, both were greatly
appreciated!

One downside to following a route suggested by pavers was the heavy
truck traffic. The second was (OMG) several miles of one-way road
construction; Route 51, West Carson Street. Urban riding is tedious and
demanding requiring focused attention to traffic and traffic control
and I like the challenge . . . for a while! One downside to following a
route suggested by pavers was the heavy truck traffic. The second was
(OMG) several miles of one-way road construction; Route 51, West Carson
Street. Urban riding is tedious and demanding requiring focused
attention to traffic and traffic control and I like the challenge . . .
for a while! Đại úy Chuck has an entirely different
perspective. Traffic sounds, shifting balance avoiding obstacles, stops
and starts and the vibrations of numerous passing dump trucks create
negative sensory overload. Đại úy Chuck has an entirely different
perspective. Traffic sounds, shifting balance avoiding obstacles, stops
and starts and the vibrations of numerous passing dump trucks create
negative sensory overload.

Stop
for photo opportunity and . . . oops!

Heinz
Field from Three Rivers Heritage Trail

Much
of the early parts of the Trail leaving Pittsburgh is a physical mashup
traversing parking lots, ducking behind warehouses and circling behind
restaurants and other commercial properties. Soon after stopping for a
water and bar break at Waterfront Bike Rental we reached what seemed to
be “the real trail.” Soon after, reality of another sort caught up with
us in the form of thunder and lightning. Don’t stand under trees. Seek
cover. Uh huh. Only trees around and nothing resembling cover so what
do you do? POR; press on regardless while Đại úy asks “How
close was that?” meaning the one that lit up the sky. “Not too close”
say I.

Near
the beginning of the GAP

Make
a left and go that way!

If there was a sign indicating we’d reached the GAP I missed it, but
somewhere south of Homestead we’d met one goal; survive PBG and ride
the GAP. Our next goal was to reach Boston and get some rest at Yough
Shore Inn (or Manor if you read the sign), an eclectically
decorated B&B. Our hostess, Lin, was great and the
accommodations quite satisfactory. Her facility is used almost
exclusively by bikers and by hikers who can pitch their tents on the
lawn behind the building. It is also one of the stops for rides led by
Adventure Cycling. Bikes are kept secure on a deck accessible only from
inside. She provides a wide variety of useful food; bananas, yogurt,
cereals, muffins and bagels and puts you to bed on one of her
uncommonly decorated rooms. Lin offered a ride to Woody’s, a nearby
Italian/American restaurant, where Đại úy Chuck turned
shrimp and scallop risotto into alfredo because he wanted their
made-in-house pasta and I did fast work on spaghetti with meatball. If
we spoke at all it was single words. Lin spared us the ride back, too.

Lotsa
choices!

Chuck
and Lin

Not
The Magnolia Room

Another
of Lin's rooms

Fifteen of the first fifty miles were difficult, but the Montour Trail,
Three Rivers Heritage Trail and the GAP made-up for everything
difficult. Day two should take us to Connellsville or Ohiopyle, forty
or fifty miles. Already it is obvious that even the most stressful part
of the ride was getting through PBG. We'll worry about DC and Balto
when
we get there.